(57) A drive shaft comprises a first joint member (1), a first tubular shaft (2) connected
on one side with the first joint member, a second joint member (3), a second tubular
shaft (4) connected on one side with the second joint member and coupled on the other
side with the other side of the first tubular shaft so as to transmit torque and slide
axially, and a coiled spring assembly (20) provided in the coupling section of the
two tubular shafts for biasing the two tubular shafts each other axially oppositely.
The coiled spring assembly is composed of a plurality of coiled spring units (A,B,C,D)
and at least one spacer member (9) which is interposed between the two coiled spring
units and has a pair of receiving portions with which the ends of the two coiled spring
units are fitted so that the two coiled spring units are kept out of contact with
the inner peripheral surface of one of the two tubular shafts forming the coupling
section and an outer contact portion held in contact with the inner peripheral surface
of the one tubular shaft. Since the total amount of flexure of the coiled spring
assembly is limited due to the use of a plurality of coiled spring units and the individual
coiled spring units are radially positioned so as to contact with the inner peripheral
surface of the one tubular shaft, during rotational motion the coiled spring means
is prevented from colliding with the inner peripheral surface of the one tubular
shaft and the like, resulting in no generation of large noise and vibration during
rotational motion.
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